• Get your Camino Frances Guidebook here.
  • For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
  • ⚠️ Emergency contact in Spain - Dial 112 and AlertCops app. More on this here.

Search 69,459 Camino Questions

LIVE from the Camino Rain, fog, mud ... and a wonderful Camino thus far

Kuznitz

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
CF 2016 (May/June)
My wife and I started out of SJPP on Friday, staying our first night in Orrison. The hike up to Orrison was a workout, with rain pretty much the whole way - though the views were still beautiful. Our second day was fog and rain most of the way, and we couldn't see more than 100 yards in any direction. With my excellent guidance, we succeeded in going down the one muddy and steep path they recommended against in the Pilgrim's Office. Fortunately, we all made it down safely to Roncesvalles. Despite all of the bad weather and misdirections, the trip has been great thus far. We've met an amazing group of individuals. In Orisson, the communal meal was highlighted by a rousing singalong and introductions of people from all walks of life. The hike between Orrison went by fast in the company of fellow pilgrims and the beach forest that our muddy path bisected was beautiful even in, and perhaps especially because of, the fog. But above it all, it's the simplicity of the task and the company of others along the way that we have enjoyed and are thankful for, and look forward to over the rest of our journey.
 
Join our full-service guided tour and let us convert you into a Pampered Pilgrim!
Transport luggage-passengers.
From airports to SJPP
Luggage from SJPP to Roncevalles
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
My wife and I started out of SJPP on Friday, staying our first night in Orrison. The hike up to Orrison was a workout, with rain pretty much the whole way - though the views were still beautiful. Our second day was fog and rain most of the way, and we couldn't see more than 100 yards in any direction. With my excellent guidance, we succeeded in going down the one muddy and steep path they recommended against in the Pilgrim's Office. Fortunately, we all made it down safely to Roncesvalles. Despite all of the bad weather and misdirections, the trip has been great thus far. We've met an amazing group of individuals. In Orisson, the communal meal was highlighted by a rousing singalong and introductions of people from all walks of life. The hike between Orrison went by fast in the company of fellow pilgrims and the beach forest that our muddy path bisected was beautiful even in, and perhaps especially because of, the fog. But above it all, it's the simplicity of the task and the company of others along the way that we have enjoyed and are thankful for, and look forward to over the rest of our journey.
========
Great attitude! What was the temp, by the way? Heading out in a week.
 
With my excellent guidance, we succeeded in going down the one muddy and steep path they recommended against in the Pilgrim's Office.
I love that you maintained a sense of humour about it! In my opinion it is one of the essential items to pack for a successful camino. Orisson truly is a wonderful place to meet people and share the start of your endeavour. Wishing you a Camino filled with just enough misdirection to keep things interesting. (Just a hint - when you find the locals waving frantically they aren't always just being friendly. Often they are trying to steer you back to the Camino…or was that just us?)
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
========
Great attitude! What was the temp, by the way? Heading out in a week.
The temp was varied. When we left SJPP it was probably close to 50 F, but it was quite cold and damp at the higher elevations. I'm not sure of the temp, but am guessing it was closer to 40 with a wind that made it feel colder. We did see a few piles of snow along the way. Layers worked well. I wore a long sleeve Marino wool shirt and a lightweight fleece under a wind jacket I brought. The lightweight gloves I had were a godsend. Having said that, my understanding is that you may face quite different weather when you walk the same path. Buen Camino!
 
WHAT no snow?! No May Camino is complete without at least some snow. Watch for it at elevations over about 700 meters. It is usually wet snow, and not deep, a few centimeters. But the contrast can be jarring. You can see flowers in the morning, snow on the mountain top by midday, and varieties of palm trees and citrus fruit growing in the next valley. Sometimes, it is just weird.
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Be careful where and when you wash your clothes, although I'm sure I don't need to remind you of this. In Agés we stopped at a bar for breakfast and to get some relief from the piercing, cold wind. There was a young pilgrim there, huddled up with his hands wrapped around a cup of coffee trying to get warm. He was obviously very inadequately dressed for the weather (a track suit and runners - no gloves, no hat) and we expressed our concern. He said he had stayed the night before in the old monastery/albergue in San Juan de Ortega. He had washed his warm clothes (there was no dryer) and his warm clothes hadn't dried overnight. (Based on the weather the night before, that was not good thinking!) However, he remained enthusiastic, but he was cold. We ran into him a couple of days later, warmer, and still very happy and enthusiastic. :)
 

Most read last week in this forum

My name is Henrik and I will be coming down to SJPdP from Sweden on March 26 and start walking on March 27. I don't really have any experience and I'm not the best at planning and I'm a little...
When I hiked the Frances Route this happened. I was hiking in the afternoon just east of Arzua. I was reserved a bed at an albergue in Arzua, so I had already hiked all the way from San Xulien...
I'd like some recommendations about where to find the most current and up to date information about albergues that are actually open. I'm currently walking the camino Frances, and I can't even...
I am finalizing my packing list for Frances, and do not want to over pack. (I am 71) I will be starting at SJPdP on April 25th to Roncesvalles and forward. I was hoping on some advise as to...
First marker starting from Albergue Monasterio de la Magdalena in Sarria (113.460 km) Start: 2023.9.29 07:22 Arrival: 2023.9.30 13:18 walking time : 26 hours 47 minutes rest time : 3 hours 8...
A local Navarra website has posted a set of photos showing today's snowfall in the area around Roncesvalles. About 15cm of snow fell this morning surprising pilgrims on the way...

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top